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NICKY'S HOT DOGS

4601 S PULASKI RD, CHICAGO, IL 60632 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

NICKY'S HOT DOGS has been inspected 17 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 1, 2011. The most recent inspection, on February 27, 2025, found no infractions.

7 of 17 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The last 3 inspections in a row found no infractions. The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on March 15, 2022. For example: GLOVES USED PROPERLY

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 15, 2022. For example: PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 15, 2022. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on March 15, 2022. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded once on April 1, 2011. For example: OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

17 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • KNIFE IMPROPERLY STORED INBETWEEN FLAT TOP GRILL AND PREP TABLE. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY
  5. Complaint

    11 infractions

    • 8. HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED
      • OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICIES BY FOOD HANDLER.OBSERVED MALE FOOD HANDLER WEARING THE SAME GLOVES AND WIPING GLOVED HANDS WITH A TOWEL WHILE HANDLING RAW CHICKEN,READY TO EAT CUT LETTUCE,TOASTED BUNS WITHOUT CHANGING GLOVES AND WASHING HANDS AT THIS TIME. MUST WASH HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.(PRIORITY 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
    • 21. PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS 1.5LBS COOKED ONIONS ON GRILL AT 121.4F.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER.MUST HAVE HOT FOODS AT 135.0F OR ABOVE.APPX. 1.5LBS. $2.(COS)(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS 1LBS. CUT LETTUCE 61.5F. 1LBS. RAW HAMBURGERS 49.8F. 1LBS. SLICED TOMATOES 57.4F ON PREP TABLE INSIDE A CONTAINER OF ICE.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW.APPX. 3LBS. $9.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION)
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED SEVERAL TOWELS ON COUNTER TOPS.MUST STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
    • 46. GLOVES USED PROPERLY
      • OBSERVED GLOVES NOT BEING CHANGED AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACK FLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICING.MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON TOILET ROOM DOOR THAT LEADS TO PREP AREA.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES IN LOBBY.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGERS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  7. Short Form Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11: NO PROCEDURE IN PLACE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE AND NECESSARY SUPPLIES AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
  8. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO PROCEDURE IN PLACE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE AND NECESSARY SUPPLIES AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 738-005
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • MISSING THERMOMETER FOR UPRIGHT COOLER IN REAR. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE
  9. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED EXPIRED CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE MANAGER ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, BUT MANAGER LEFT, AND THE MALE EMPLOYEE HAS NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE(SERVSAFE TEST DATE 8/1/18). WHEN TCS FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED BEEF 160*F, HOTDOGS 158*F AT THIS TIME. INSREUCTED TO PROVIDE ENROLLMENT FOR SANITATION CLASS OR RECIPROCITY RECEIPT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE NECESSARY ITEMS, AND A DISINFECTANT RATED FOR NOROVIRUS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED THE UNISEX TOILET ROOM TRASH RECEPTACLE WITH OUT COVER, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVER.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALERGEN TRAINING ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
  10. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MISSING ENDCAPS ON LIGHTSHIELDS IN REAR.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • ICE SCOOP IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY.
  11. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 6. HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
      • OBSERVED UNHYGIENIC FOOD HANDLING PRACTICES BY A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE. OBSERVED THE EMPLOYEE HANDLE A RAW HAMBURGER AND RAW CHICKEN AND THEN HANDLE A BREAD ROLL WITHOUT FIRST REMOVING THEIR GLOVES AND WASHING THEIR HANDS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT EMPLOYEES MUST CHANGE GLOVES AND WASH THEIR HANDS AFTER SWITCHING BETWEEN HANDLING RAW FOODS AND READY-TO-EAT FOODS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010A.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED HOT DOGS STORED IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH A CARDBOARD BOX. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE CONTAINERS ONLY. OBSERVED THE INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER DOOR AND FLOOR OF THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH RAW EXPOSED WOOD. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PAINT OR SEAL THE FLOOR AND INSIDE OF THE DOOR.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • REMOVE THE CARDBOARD FROM THE FLOOR IN THE PREP AREA.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • NO THERMOMETER OBSERVED INSIDE OF THE REFRIGERATOR IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA NEAR THE BACK DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER INSIDE OF ALL COOLERS.
  12. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  13. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. NO LOGS, RECORDS AVAILABLE. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.
  14. Canvass

    0 infractions

  15. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN THE HOOD ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT HAS GREASE BUILDUP.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE REAR AREA ALONG THE WALLS AND IN THE CORNERS THEY ARE DUSTY.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • CLEAN THE LIGHT SHIELDS UNDER THE HOOD IN THE FRONT AREA HAS GREASE BUILDUP.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • CLEAN THE VENTS IN THE BACK PREP AREA THEY HAVE DUST BUILDUP ON THEM.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • FOUND A TWO DOOR REACHIN COOLER AND A ONE DOOR COOLER THAT ARE EMPTY AND UNUSED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REMOVE THEM SO NO INSECT OR RODENT HARBORAGE.
  16. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  17. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • OUTSIDE GARBAGE/WASTE GREASE AREA NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE GREASE ENCRUSTED ON EXTERIOR OF INTERCEPTOR AND LID OPEN AND EXPOSED WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020 SERIOUS.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • CLEAN EQUIPMENT IMPROPERLY STORED ON FLOOR. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING. REPAIR SAME.

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